DEMON CUM I He’s the latest spawn of Hell with a lanyard and a notch lapel and “there is no alternative,” as if nothing has to give, a stench of sulfur to intrigue some think-tank from the Ivy League. Gray-flecked beard and close-cropped hair, a ruin that’s beyond repair but crying out for management, refurbishing, … Read more
In 1973, my first time here, I’d stood in wonder with my head strained back As dizzily I’d tried to see how high The buildings had to reach to scrape the sky, Then lowered my gaze just like a steeplejack, Who staring straight ahead finds nothing sheer. Instead now I’m a resident who knows To … Read more
They turned up at the door dressed all in black, from their baseball caps and bomber jackets down to their DM boots, and they hustled in like hitmen or bouncers, or bailiffs, or the Old Bill or some kind of security syndicate, shifting on their feet, in uniform, black-gloved hands bearing black briefcases. One of … Read more
Storrington Place of storks and green- clad chalk. Are the Gypsies still perched on ‘The Warren’? Camargue Flamingo heaven, white horses, black madonna. Heart’s grey forgiven. Camargue Red dust on the shoes of Gaditans carrying Sara-la-Kali. Storrington At the age of eight: the camp fire by their wagon shed heavenly light. Jamie McKendrick was … Read more
A cormorant dives to feed, then perches, its wings spread to dry. There are fish, there is a break in the clouds. A freighter embarks, laden with necessary goods, including toys, much as a researcher presents his findings. This world is henceforth one in which these things have taken place, and the gates that would … Read more
Anthony Caleshu’s forthcoming book, from which this pair of poems is taken, is titled, A Dynamic Exchange between Us (Shearsman, 2019). He is the author of three previous books of poems, including The Victor Poems (Shearsman, 2015), and Of Whales: in Print, in Paint, in Sea, in Stars, in Coin, in House, in Margins (Salt, 2010; named a ‘book of the year’ … Read more
95 While someone exhorts us In song to sing to God, I’ve looked askance and asked, is he Among us here or not? And found that question, off its no-man’s land Uptaken then in hand, Lies with sheep in shade, And takes its rest in space, Beneath a large-leafed chestnut, bright With burning candles, placed … Read more
I am made endless for your pleasure Again and again emptied and filled A frail vessel ever with fresh life And melodies eternally new Breathed through me As though a little reed flute Cast over the earth And at your hand’s immortal touch My small heart loses all limits of joy To create ineffable utterances … Read more
Missiles flashed, and it was beautiful— flares in the darkness of a fallen world where Satan plays the good guy in a wig. I’m in my safe space, a battered easy chair, swearing at the laptop, at the stream of video and voices, overlaid on top of breakfast. Coffee’s gone lukewarm, the trail’s gone cold. … Read more